ST. MARGARET'S COLLEGE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2166, 3 June 1914, Page 9

ST. MARGARET'S COLLEGE.

EDUCATIONAL HOSTEL. PREMIER'S TRIBUTE TO OTAGO. (By Telesra.Dh.-Fxei!3 Association.) Diinadin, Juno 2. Thefoundation-stone of the-new building of St. Margaret's College was laid to-jday by tho Prime Minister. The building was really begun in March, and should bo completed about October. Mr. W. S. Fitzgerald (president of tho College Council) said that tho movement for tho foundation of tho college hud originateel .with tho late Dr. Nisbet (of First Church), and tho Duncdiu Presbytery had set up a committee. At first there was, some misunderstanding as to-tho purposes of tho college. The Presbytery deserved the thanks of the public for establishing a. first-class hostel, and from his experienco as rector of tho Training College, and from what lie had learned as inspector of schools in visting teachers, thoro was an urgent need for such an institution. Dufc this ono'went further. Girls coming-for the first, timo to tho Training Coltogo and University were, so far as character went, in a critical position, and tho Presbytery, for tho sake of character development, had founded St. Margaret's' College. The council were proceeding ill faith in tho liberality of the peoplo of tho Dominion, being convinced that, when it was realised that tho college was capable.of producing excellent rosults, tho burden of tho debt 'would bo gradually relieved. The present section had cost £2000, and tho building contrast was for £3200. Thoro had been an unexpected demand for £2000, but tho council hoped that in the near future thev would be enabled to meet it. Tho Hon. W. F. Massey said that Otago had always been in tho van in encouraging education, especially higher education. He mentioned tho establish-, ment of tho lona College in Hawke s Bay, and expressed tho hopo that what Hawke's Bay had done, and Otago was doin", would bo copied in. other parts of Now Zealand. Mr. Massoy paid .a particular compliment to tho Presbyterian Church 'in Otago for the establishment of. Knots Cbllego ana' tot. Margaret's College.. . The Rev. A. Cameron stated that it was hoped hy-and-by to provide collego tutors as. well as quarters. A collection' made by St. Maraaret s 6tudents realised no less than £123.